First Congregational Church Marks 100th Anniversary Of “The Scarlet Letter” With Silent Film Screening

Sanctuary Arts Series brings silent film, live musical accompaniment, and cultural programming to downtown Reading

Reading, MA — First Congregational Church of Reading is home to many arts programs in Reading. This November, the church continues to offer arts and cultural programming with a screening of “The Scarlet Letter,” a silent film that premiered 100 years ago.

The screening takes place in the historic sanctuary in downtown Reading on Friday, November 6, at 7 PM. Jeff Rapsis, a local silent film historian and musician, returns to the church to provide live, improvised musical accompaniment for the screening. The event is free and open to the public thanks to a Massachusetts Cultural Council grant awarded by the Reading Cultural Council.

The church first hosted Rapsis in 2024 for a screening of “The Phantom of the Opera” as part of its Sanctuary Arts Series.